<p>Good to point out, grinzing. </p>
<p>Last year my D was accepted, but waitlisted for FA. It never came. This year I hope we dont go through that experience ( x 6) but wouldn’t surprise me. I suspect she is well within the large percentage of applicants who are very well qualified, but not shoe-ins. And no hook, and FA.</p>
<p>My son applied to 3 schools last year for 9th grade and was waitlisted at one and rejected at the other 2. We opened the letters together. It broke my heart watching him experience rejection like that at such a young age. We had looked at 11 schools and only applied to 3 (big mistake). After the disappointment settled, we started discussing with him about going through the process again and where he might want to look. He kept mentioning 2 schools where he had already interviewed but had not applied. In the end of April, I got on the phone and asked if they would consider a late application. To my surprise, both schools remembered him and said yes. Within 2 weeks, we had 2 acceptances letters in hand. I opened the letters the 2nd time around. I didn’t want him to experience rejection again. He was so excited when he found out. I am not sure whether he even questioned who would open the letters. He just wanted to know if he got in or not.</p>
<p>Chelsea, that is really touching. I am so glad for him.</p>
<p>I’m surprised that no one here has brought up wondering if the applications were good enough. We rushed a little bit and with the on-line apps felt like it was a little chaotic. I’ve been telling d that if she doesn’t get into one of the five it could be just that our applications were not as polished as they might have been if we’d taken months,instead of weeks, to prepare. Also, two of the schools were too booked to do interviews (long distance) but said it didn’t matter. I could handle not getting enough FA better than seeing my child hurt.</p>
<p>Dont feel bad, wcmom, we rushed too. Although we went through this process last year, with just one school, and should have known better. Over Christmas break is I think when most kids work on their essays, etc., well our Christmas break was a big wash out - sometimes life just gets in the way. </p>
<p>My advice to anyone planning on this next year is you can not start too early! </p>
<p>But who knows, maybe the admissions fairy is watching over!</p>
<p>Thanks Sadie2. I can’t imagine. We applied to five schools and are nervous. SO where are you now?</p>
<p>On leaving your applications to late, I did all my essays in the week leading up to January 15th with one started at 10pm on the deadline. Now THAT’S rushed ;)</p>
<p>“What is written without effort is generally read without pleasure.” Samuel Johnson</p>
<p>I never said I put no effort into it. Writing is something I’m good at :)</p>
<p>@wcmom1958: I literally spent 2 days writing and editing my essays for my top choices. Unfortunately, writing is not my particular strength since I’m not a native speaker. I was also waived the interview at another school. And I need full FA. Feeling pessimistic.</p>
<p>
blue, no one ever said so much in so few words! i love it!</p>
<p>“Second guessing” was my original query and I see now that I am not the only one :). The essays were not our weak point - we are a writing family - but our tech savvy was. We are remote and could only get phone/skype interviews at three places because the other two were too booked up. Then there was the submission technology…some references went to a common site, others to the schools. We checked to make sure that all apps were complete, but it just all felt rushed and chaotic. I would have preferred the old hard copy directly to the school method because it makes it easier to track. But then I guess I’m showing my age and/or luddite leanings. In the end, who knows if the writing is more important, or the interview, or the SSAT/GPA/FA, etc. I wanted to know that others were out there wondering if their perceived weakness will be a fatal flaw and I got my answer. This is nerve-wracking for many.</p>